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Who's doing well in commercial and residential?

There are some solar PV businesses having repeated large scale success, but overall market share figures reveal a surprise.
By · 12 Dec 2013
By ·
12 Dec 2013
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We have looked at where solar has been installed, and the trends that have emerged. Today we're going to have a look at the large scale success stories, and overall market share.

The graph below shows companies that self-register STCs who have registered more than two systems exceeding 30kW in 2012, and the associated size and the state of installation. The lower half of the chart shows the same information stacked, where each boxed area represents an individual system in this range.

Now, this is only a subset of the market, as many smaller solar businesses are particularly successful in commercial PV but use an aggregator to register STCs and are thus hidden from view. Still, it is clear to see that there are some businesses having repeated success in commercial PV.

Graph for Who's doing well in commercial and residential?

Infinity Solar leads the way with over 1MW of 30kW-plus installations, most of which are in Queensland. Todae Solar registered three 100kW systems in NSW, plus a host of others. The graph also speaks of local success – only two companies have installations cross more than two states: Energy Matters and Ingenero. The rest have been concentrated in one state with possibly a single installation in a second state.

The competitiveness of the solar industry as a whole is attested to by the limited market share of its leaders. True Value Solar is the clear market leader in most states and yet only manages to secure 7.4 per cent of market share. Indeed, five major PV retailers only hold 15 per cent of the national market share. This is a highly competitive industry.

The table below is an extensive list of known PV systems exceeding 40kW in size. This list is not exhaustive, but is the most complete list of large PV systems in Australia (this list is regularly updated and lives on SunWiz's website). Listed are 30MW of systems exceeding 100kW in size. Keeping track of large-scale systems helps SunWiz advise the government and industry organisations about the growth of commercial PV in Australia, and helps solar businesses make valid marketing claims about where individual systems are ranked. (If a system is not listed, please provide details via the website.)

Name

Total Capacity (kWp)

 Date Commissioned

Companies

Greenough River Solar Farm, Geraldton

10000

Oct-12

Verve, GE Financial Services

Mildura CPV

2000

Planned H1 2013

University of Queensland

1221

2011

Trina, PowerOne, Ingenero

Newington Atheletes' Village

1100

2010

BP Solar

Adelaide Showground

1000

2009

Solar Shop, Built Environs, 

Uterne

969

2011

SunPower, Satcon/SiClean Energy, Power and Water, Solar Cities

KJM Contractors

495

May-13

Trina, Power1, Ingenero

Kalkarindji

402

Fraser Coast Community  Solar system

401

Being installed

NEXTDC

400

May-12

Singleton

400

1998

Energy Australia

Dandiiri Contact Centre  

396

2011

Conergy, SMA, Sun Elec, Glenzeil, Kane Constructions

The Wharf (Sydney Theatre Co)

384

2010

Suntech, SMA, DCM

Griffith University

380

Feb-13

Sunpower, Stowe Electrical

Ernabella (Umuwa Community)

350

2003-2008

Solar Systems

Townsville RSL Stadium

348

2012

Ergon

Ti Tree

324

Alice Springs Airport

308

2010

SolFocus, SMA, Ingenero, CAT Projects

Crowne Plaza Hotel

305

2009

SunPower, SMA, CAT Projects, Odgen Electrical, Investnorth, 

Marble Bar

304

2010

SunPower, Horizon Power

Ballarat Solar Park

300

2010

Sharp Solar, Origin, Central Vic. Solar City, PSG Elecraft, Powercor

Bendigo Solar Park

300

2010

As Ballarat

Carnarvon

290

2012

Lajamanu (Community)

288

2006

Solar Systems

Hervey Bay Hospital

266

2011

Yuendumu Community

240

2005

Solar Systems

Perth Zoo (walkway and roof)

237

2011

De Bortli Winery

230

Oct-13

Hanwha Q Cells, The Solar Project

Ferngrove Wines

227

Jul-13

Great Southern Solar

Alpurrurulam

226

Kings Canyon

225

2003

Shell, PSA, Ecoenergy, Satcon, SiClean Energy, Ogden 

Nullagine

203

2010

SunPower, Horizon Power, PowerCorp

Queensland University of Technology

202

Johnson & Johnson

200

2010

Sanyo/Energy Matters /SMA/Apollo Energy

Metricon Stadium (Carrara)

200

2010

Stowe Electrical

Queen Victoria Market

200

2003

BPSolar Multi / Origin/Melbourne City Council / ?SMA

Hermannsburg Community

192

2005

Solar Systems

Desert Knowledge Precinct

170

2010

Various

Araluen Arts Centre

162

Under constr. Jul-2012

Q-Cells, Ingenero

Kogarah

161

2003

Unisolar Roof integrated BP Solar BiPV Glass

Mt Isa

154

2010

Q-Cells

Monash Clayton 85

154

2011

Eging, SMA , Maxim Renewable (Developer/PM), Vibrant Energy Solutions (Designer); Ecotech Electrical (Installer)

Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority's Reef HQ Aquarium

153

2011

Hamersley Iron

151

2003

Australian Wool Testing Authority (WA)

150

Aug-13

Conergy, SMA, Infinite Energy

Galaxy Mine

150

2011

LG, Swan Energy

Olympic Boulevarde

150

2000

BP Solar

Kamberra Winery

146

2012

Symonston

144

2012

Aide, Photon Energy

Tyree Energy Technologies Building, UNSW.

141

2012

Quality Press

141

2012

Fyshwick

140

2012

Aide, Photon Energy

Bridgewater (Solar Systems Bendigo R&D)

140

2008

ANZ Head Quarters

138

2011

Lendlease

Rigby House - Coffs Harbour

137

2010

Kyocera/SiClean Energy (Solar Inverters) /Power One

Willoughby CC

135

2011

SMA, Schott

Sandvic Mining – Hunter Valley

132

2012

5 Murray Rose Avenue, Sydney Olympic Park

130

2012

Lendlease

Mowanjum Aboriginal Corporation

130

2010

Solar Frontier, SMA

Windorah Solar Farm

130

2008

Solar Systems, Ergon Energy

Newman Airport

120

2011

SolarChoice

Monash Berwick

118

2011

SMA, Clenergy

Adelaide Airport

114

2009

BP Solar, Solaris Technology, Hansen Yuncken

Bradshaw (Defence Dept)

113

2005

Department of Defense

Perth Arena

111

late 2012

UNLTD Solar, Perth Solar City, O'Donnell 

Coca Cola - Eastern Creek

110

2009

BPSolar , Blacktown Solar City

King Island Solar

110

2008

KI Solar Pty Ltd (CBD Energy)

University of Queensland, Gatton

107

Aug-12

Infinity Solar

200 Collins – Hobart

106

Aug-12

CSIRO Newcastle

102

2003

BP Solar, Donovan Electrical, John Holland

Richmond Football Club (microinverter)

100

2013

Yingli, GreenStar, MetroSolar

Mount St Benedict College

100

2013

Canadian, Fronius, SolarChoice

Flair Cabinets (VIC)

100

2013

Munchen, Zhenfa

Blacktown RSL

100

2011

SolarSwitch, Solyndra

Cadbury Schweppes (Huntingwood)

100

2008

BP Solar, Donovan Electrical, Blacktown Solar City

Local Government Super

100

2010

Eco-kinetics

Emerald Gardens Motel and Apartments

100

2012

Green and Gold

Milner Primary School

100

2011

Suntech, SMA

Casa d’Amore

100

2012

Gold Coast Energy, Conergy

Wilpena Pound

100

1998

AGL, Advanced Energy Systems, Solarex

Campbelltown Civic and Arts Centre

100

2013

Botanica Bar (WA)

100

2013

SMA

University of Western Sydney

100

2011

RFI, Suntech

Blacktown Sports Club

99

2013

SolarChoice

Blacktown Workers Club

99

2013

SolarChoice

Magnetic Island Solar Skate Park

99

2011

Diab Engineering

99

2013

SMA, Infinite Energy

Cockburn Integrated Health & Community Centre

99

Due 2013

Port Macquarie Library

99

Jul-12

Euston Bowling Club

99

2013

SolarChoice

Hilton Manufacturing (Tracking)

99

Oct-13

UpSolar, ABB, Hilton

Club Sapphire

95

2013

SolarChoice

Parkes Administration Centre

98

2013

Solco

Newcastle Works Depot (Waratah)

91

Oct-12

GWM Engineering

Balgownie Estate

90

2013

Yingli,  SMA, Enviroshop

Barossa Vintners

90

2013

Q-Cells, the Solar Project

Emerald Hotel

90

2012

Rutherglen IGA

90

2013

Zen

Bordo International

85

2012

Daqo SMA Energy Matters

Thompson Pies (Gateshead NSW)

83

Mar-13

Current Generation Technology, ET, Schneider

Mark Pidcock Toyota (Lismore)

80

Mar-13

SAE Group, ZN Shine, Growatt

Exquisine (VIC)

80

Aug-13

Yingli, SMA, EnviroGroup

Carnarvon Park

80

Since 2000

Derby Shed

80

2011

SolarChoice

Jacques Coffee Plantation

80

2011

Tamworth Airport

80

2012

LG

Adelaide Hills Toyota

80

2013

SMA, A Class Electrical

Narelan Library

80

2013

SMA, Trina, Solar Technology Australia

SOPA building 46

77

Feb-08

Mackay Regional Council

76

2011

SolarWorld, SMA

Wagga Rules Club

76

2013

SolarChoice

Monash Clayton 10

71

2010

EnviroGroup, SunPower, SMA

Sydney Superdome

71

1999

Canon, SEA, Energy Australia

Dubbo Western Plains Cultural Centre

70

2012

Solgen, SMA

Cockatoo Island

67

2011

Schott, SMA, Solgen

Stockland Greenhills

67

2012

Stockland, First Solar, SMA

Building 46

64

2007

Solarex/SMA (when refurbished) by GMC Engineering

Homebush Wetlands

64

2000

Solarex/SMA (prev Advanced Energy) Solar Technology Australia

William McCormack Place

64

2010

SunGrid, SMA, Laing O'Rourke, 

West Coast Institute Training

62

2012

SMA

Monash Incubator

62

2013

Yingli, SMA, Enviroshop

Toyota Maitland

62

2013

REC, SMA

Cabarita Beach Bowls & Sports Club

62

Sep-12

Infinity

Australian Technology Park – NICTA

62

2011

SMA, Tianwei

Dovara Solar Farm

62

2011

SolarWorld, SMA, Infinity

Wimmera

60

Aug-13

CSUN, Power1, ABS, 

Pymble Ladies College

60

2011

Autonomous Energy, Kyocera, SMA

Brisbane Airport

60

2012

SolarWorld, SMA, Infinity 

Maroochydore Government Office Building

60

Feb-12

Midland Atelier

60

2010

SunPower, SMA

Moorooka 

60

2010

Suntech, SMA, Ingenero

The Summit Solar Farm

60

2011

William Buck Centre

60

Unknown

Monash Business Incubator

60

2013

Yingli, SMA, Envirogroup

Allansford and District Primary School

58

2010-11

ANU

56

2006

ANU, Rheem

Bulman

56

2002

NT Power and Water, 

Murdoch University Library

56

2010

SunGrid, SMA, Laing O'Rourke, UNLTD Solar

Redfern Oval

55

2013

Yingli, SMA, Solgen

Brisbane Lions Clubhouse

55

2011

Conergy, SMA

UQ Heron Island

55

2010

Impulse Entertainment

64

Mar-13

Trina, SMA, Infinity Solar

Townsville Civic Centre

53

2011

Schott, SMA, Solgen

Inland Fisheries Tasmania

53

2011

SMA

Leopold Sportsmans Club

53

2013

Tianwei, SMA, New Generation Solar

Hammond Care Miranda

52

2013

Suntech, SMA

North Head, Manly

52

2010

SMA

Veolia Arndell Park

51

2011

BP, SMA

Ausgrid Learning Centre

51

2011

Arndell Park , NSW 

51

Feb-12

TASPAWS - Maria Island

51

Parkes Library and Cultural Centre

50

2012

Solco

Adelaide Central Bus Station

50

2008

BP Solar, Solaris Technology,  Mpower

Adelaide Central Market

50

2011

BP Solar

Bankstown Council

50

2009/2010

SMA, LJW Solar, Solar Technology

BCC - Rooty Hill Works Depot

50

2011

SMA, BP Solar, Solar Technology Aus, Blacktown Solar City, Soltech

Blacktown City Council Works Depot

50

2011

Keylink Industrial Estate

50

2010

BP Solar

Mackay TAFE

50

2010

Queanbeyan

50

1999

Solarex / PSA/Solar Technology Australia

Rundle Latern

50

2009

BP Solar

Western Plains Zoo

50

1997

Solarex / PSA/Solar Technology Australia, soltech

Campbelltown Public Library

50

2011

Designer/installer: Mpower

Crescent Head Country Club

50

2013

SolarChoice

Bay and Basin Leisure Centre

50

2011

SMA, Schott

Central Institute of Technology, WA

49

2010

SunPower, SMA

Nursery Traders

48

2010

Randwick City Council Works Deport

48

2009

Solgen, 

Sydney Town Hall

48

2010

Suntech, SMA, Stowe, City of Sydney

Melbourne University

46

2002

BP Solar, ARUP, Solar Technologies

Dexus Property Group

46

2012

REC,SMA

Warwick Johnston is managing director of Sunwiz Consulting.

This information above regularly appears in Sunwiz’s monthly Insights subscription publication. This article was originally produced by Sunwiz. Republished with permission.

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